Re: Stering is locked up
Welcome to the forum,Sharmannn. How long ago did you last use this boat? Steering on boats is usually done with a cable. boats over 200HP mostly have hydraulic steering.<br />But the wet environment gets to some parts on boats allways, and these parts require constant babying. Things like the stater worm gear, the hinges on the motor, the electrical contacts, electronics, decking,transoms,you name it. Wood will rot, fiberglass will delaminate, and metal will rust. What you are having trouble with is rust, so the problem cna be fixed with penetrant, grease, and a big hammer. First, you must remove the steering shaft from the tube,where in runs thru, just above the engine's transom mount. You need to unbolt it from the engine,then take both end caps off the tube over the engine mount. You may need a hammer to get it out. Once you have removed this cable, go back to the helm,and try to turn the wheel. If it is hard to turn,the problem is the cable,and it must be replaced. If it turns free, go back to the motor,and saturate the hinge with an entire can of WD40.(you may wanna put a drip pan under the motor). You will see some grease fittings on the hinge,on the tube, and the pivot. Grease all these except for the tube.<br />Once you got it greased and soaked-down good, grab the engine with both hands,and try to work it back and forth. You may have to put your back into it. Sometimes they let go with a jolt that'll put you on yer can...Other times, you will have to fight for every half inch.<br />When you get it freed up, take a 12gauge shotgun bore (if ya got one), and clean the tube out .It will be full of rust and old grease that has turned into something else harder than grease.<br />Re install the steering shaft and attach to motor.Grease rthe tube fittings. It should werk fine....Until it sits unused for a while.
